The Opposition in Canada has completely crushed the Govern- ment
at the elections, obtaining a majority of seventy. The Ministry is expected to resign, and it is believed that a new one, probably headed by Sir J. Macdonald, or Dr. Tupper, with strict Protection as the first plank in its platform, will come into power. The Canadians, who are suffering, like the rest of the world, from " bad times," are evidently convinced that competition injures them, but there are two other reasons for their action. If they put on duties as heavy as those of the Union, they may obtain free-trade
with the States, which would be an immense relief to many in- terests. And the Ministers want more money, which opinion does not permit them to obtain through direct taxation. The effect of this change will, of course, depend on details, but the failure of Great Britain to teach political economy to the English-speaking communities is the most disheartening phenomenon of the present day. It looks as if, so long as bread is untaxed, the masses could not understand free-trade.
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